Monthly Archive: April 2014

While writing this post, I’ve noted several inconsistencies that need to be resolved. That being said, let me share with you the known events in the life of my third great grandfather, Stephen Perkins.

Stephen1 Perkins, son of Newman Perkins and Sarah Sawyer was born in Wells, York County, Maine, 12 February 1771.[1]

Stephen Perkins married SallyDavis of Lee, Strafford County, New Hampshire, 14 August 1800, in Epping, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.[2] Sally was born 7 April 1777,[3] and died 25 August 1841 at age 64.[4]

In the 1820 Census, Stephen was listed as a head of household in Chichester, Rockingham County.[5] The household, of seven, consisted of two males from 10 to 15, one male from 16 to 25, one male age 45 and upward, one female under 10, one female from 16 to 25, and one female from 26 to 44.

On 3 June 1825, Nancy Lane and her husband Jeremiah acknowledged a deed from her father, Stephen Perkins, of Chichester (now in Merrimack County)—for “a farm situated in Loudon in said county [Merrimack] of the value of five hundred Dollars bearing date the 25th December 1824, which farm with what he has otherwise given me, and what he may hereafter freely give me during his natural life, I have agreed to accept and receive … in full payment and satisfaction of the proportion I or my heirs may ever be entitled to have and receive out of and from the estate of the said Stephen Perkins…”. [6]

In the 1830 Census, Stephen was listed as a head of household of five in Chichester (one male age 10 thru 14, one male age 15 thru 19, one male age 50 thru 59, 1 female age 15 thru 19, and one female age 50 thru 59).[7] This record is a derivative copy since the entries are arranged in rough alphabetical order by the first letter of the surname.

Stephen Perkins, husbandman, sold his farm (excepting that which he had previously given to his son Moses Perkins) to Stephen Perkins Junior (in all likely-hood his son) for consideration of $3000.[8] Within the deed the property is described as The Farm on which I now live in said Chichester containing two hundred acres more or less, bounded on the northwest by John Maxfield- north by Stephen Robie and Josiah Prescott northeast by Jabez James and others – on the east by Stephen Robie and on the south by John Berry and Wells Ely – southwest by Jeremiah Lane and by said Maxfield on the west being all my Homestead Farm in said Chichester except a piece of interval north east of the river heretofore given to my son Moses (together with the buildings on said farm.” The conveyance was made on the 30th of January 1803 and not recorded until 30 January 1833. If the date of the instrument (30 January 1803) is correct, then Stephen Junior could not have been the son of Stephen, husbandman, since Stephen Junior was not born until 1806 and Moses would have been about two years old. I suspect that an error occurred when the clerk of court recorded the deed. It is more reasonable that the indenture took place on 30 January 1833. A greater study of the Merrimack County (and her mother county, Rockingham) deeds is necessary.

On 9 October 1835, Stephen Perkins, husbandman, sold “all my right and title to one fourth part of a certain Saw Mill standing on Gilmanton Brook so called in said Chichester it being the same that I purchased of Jonathan Gove, Henry Robey and Jabez James” to Stephen Perkins 2nd, farmer. The deed was witnessed by D.K. Foster and Joshua Lane and recorded on the 9th of October 1835.[9] This is the first and only reference that I’ve located referencing a Stephen Perkins the 2nd. Could this man be the same man who is called Stephen Perkins Junior?

Albe Cady and Leonard Kimball witnessed a lease transaction between Stephen Perkins, Junior, and Stephen Perkins, Senior, (both of Chichester) on 4 April 1838. Stephen leased to his father, in consideration of eleven hundred and sixty eight dollars, the farm in said Chichester on which he now lives containing two hundred acres more or less being the same farm which was conveyed by said Stephen Senior to said Stephen Junior by deed dated January 30, 1833. Stephen Perkins Senior had the right to “occupy, enjoy and in such way and manner as he may deem proper to manage the premises without committing unnecessary waste thereon, and to receive the profits thereof during the period of his life.“

In the 1840 Census, Stephen was listed as a head of household of four, two of whom were active in agriculture in Chichester.[10] The home consisted of one male 20 thru 29, one male 60 thru 69, one female 15 thru 19, and one female 60 thru 69.

Stephen was enumerated in the dwelling of his son, Stephen, on 23 October 1850. Stephen was listed as a head of household with a woman named Eliza and at the time he reportedly had real estate valued at $3,500.[11]

It is likely that Stephen Perkins died sometime between 22 July 1857 when he signed his will and fourth Tuesday of September 1857 (22 September 1857) when his will was submitted for probate in the Merrimack County Probate Court[12]. Consequently the death date, 27 December 1857, provided by Jones in his Vital Statistics of Chichester, New Hampshire, 1742-1927 incorrect. [13]

According to family tradition, Stephen and his wife, Sally, were buried in Chichester, but as yet, I have no supporting evidence for their burial.

Known children of Stephen Perkins and Sally Davis:

i. Moses Davis2Perkins was born 19 November 1801.[14]

ii. Nancy D. Perkins was born 13 April 1804.[15]

iii. Stephen Perkins II was born 20 April 1806.[16]

iv. Susan Perkins was born in Chichester, Merrimack County, New Hampshire 20 April 1806,[17] or 16 January 1808.[18] [Is it possible that Stephen’s first daughter, Susan died as an infant and he named a subsequent daughter Susan in her memory?]

v. Sally F. Perkins was born 25 April 1814.[19]

vi. James K. Perkins was born 15 July 1816.[20]

Future Research

Who was the woman called Eliza, age 61, in the 1850 household of Stephen Perkins? [21] Did Stephen remarry after the death of his wife, Sally, who died 25 August 1841?[22]

Make a through study of the property records of Rockingham and Merrimack Counties, particularly those relating any Stephen Perkins. It will be important to study each transaction when Stephen obtains and disposes of parcels of land.

Try to determine where Stephen and his wife Sally were buried.

Study all extant probate records to make a better determination of when Stephen passed away. Stephen Perkins died in Merrimack County and his Probate Case file is file # 4687.[23]

Study the town records of Chichester to determine if Stephen and Sally had two daughters named Susan (the first may have died in infancy).

[13] William Haslet Jones, Vital Statistics of Chichester, New Hampshire, 1742-1927 (Bowie, Maryland: Heritage Books, Inc., 2000), 31, hereinafter cited as Jones, Vital Statistics of Chichester. This is a derivative record of at least one generation.

Stephen Perkins and his wife, Betsey Lane, were my second great grandparents.

Stephen Perkins was born on 20 April 1806 in Chichester, Rockingham County,[1] New Hampshire.[2]He died on 20 September 1897 at the age of 91 in Chichester, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.[3]

Stephen Perkins II and Betsey Lane were married on 25 November 1832.[4]Betsey Lane, daughter of Jeremiah Lane and Eunice Tilton, was born on 23 July 1805 in Chichester, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.[5] She died on 22 September 1890 at the age of 85 in Chichester.[6]

Stephen Prentiss Perkins, born 6 March 1837;[9] married Lavina Jane Case, 22 November 1866; and died 16 May 1903, Chichester.[10]

Sarah Eunice Perkins, born 6 March 1840;[11] married Rinaldo Bracket Foster, 15 July 1860, Chichester; and died 20 October 1899, in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

Jeremiah Lane Perkins, born 26 March 1842;[12] married Jennie Maria Osgood, 29 March 1874, in Loudon, Merrimack County, New Hampshire; and died 21 November 1899, in Loudon.[13]

John Butters Perkins, born 25 January 1844;[14] married Emma Adeline Jenkins; and died 7 May 1918, in Loudon[15]. [See blog post http://www.musingsbylinda.com/MyFamily/?p=707]

Charles B. Perkins was born on 13 August 1846;[16] and died on 12 February 1874 at the age of 27 in Chichester[17].

Ann M. Perkins, born 3 November 1849; married Charles Eddy Payne, 18 September 1876; and died 4 January 1929, in Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.[18]

Stephen, son of Stephen, is typically called Stephen Jr. and resided near his father in Chichester.

Census Records

Stephen and his family were enumerated in Chichester, Merrimack County, New Hampshire from 1830 through 1880.

1830. Stephen (listed as 20 to 30), living alone, resided next door to his father, Stephen Perkins.[19] This population schedule did not offer reference to occupation.

1840. Stephen and his family were residing next door to his father, Stephen Perkins. Of the six people (1 male under 5, 1 male 5 to 10, 2 males 30 to 40, 1 female under 5, and 1 female 30 to 40) in his household, three were engaged in Agriculture.[20]

23 October 1850.[21] Stephen Perkins, Household (all born in New Hampshire):

The 1850, 1860, and 1870 federal census records Stephen with real property. A consequent incomplete search of deed records in Merrimack County provides some clues. However, it is necessary for the deed work (search and analysis) to continue.

Stephen affixed his signature to his last will and testament on 29 Jun 1887 in Chichester, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.[29] Stephen’s will described the following bequeaths:

“,,, unto my daughter Ann M. Paine, the sum of five dollars”

“… unto my daughter Sarah E. Foster, the sum of five dollars”

“… unto my son John B. Perkins of Loudon… the sum of one dollar”

“… unto my son Jeremiah L. Perkins the interest and income of fifteen shares of the National State Capital Bank of Concord New Hampshire for and during the time of his natural life from and immediately after the decease of said Jeremiah L. Perkins I give and bequeath unto my grandchildren Alice M. Perkins, Stephen C. Perkins and Ralph S. Perkins children of my son Stephen P. Perkins the aforesaid fifteen share of Bank stock to be divided equally among them.”

“… unto my aforesaid son Jeremiah L. Perkins all the demands and promissory notes which I hold against my son John B. Perkins and all debts due me from said John B. Perkins”

“… unto my son Stephen P. Perkins his heirs and assigns forever all the residue of my estate both real and personal estate wherever found or however situated”

Stephen appointed Thomas H. Thorndike, Esq. of Pittsfield to be his sole executor. David T. Brown, Stephen R. Watson, and F.H. Thorndike were witnesses to this will, dated 29 June 1887.

Stephen’s will was presented for probate 4 September 1897 in Merrimack County Court of Probate, Concord, New Hampshire.

Future Research

Continue deed research, seeking and analyzing, in Merrimack County, New Hampshire with Stephen Perkins as grantor and grantee.

Perform a complete search of probate records for Stephen Perkins in Merrimack County, New Hampshire.

[1] Chichester became part of Merrimack County when that county was formed out of Rockingham and Hillsborough Counties in 1823 [John H. Long, Editor, New Hampshire, Vermont, Atlas of Historical County Boundaries (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993), 47].

This 52 week, 52 Ancestors challenge is proving to be very interesting. As I analysis the research I’ve conducted, it is apparent that I should have put my blinders on—why in the world have I no record of possible estate or property records of John Butters Perkins? John would have been about seventeen years old at the beginning of the Civil War. Why have I not searched for possible Union service for him? All I have are the boring vital statistics and census records for John and his family.

John Butters Perkins, son of Stephen Perkins and Betsey Lane, was born on 25 January 1844 in Chichester, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.[1] He died of a cerebral hemorrhage on 7 May 1918 at the age of 74 in Loudon, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.[2]

John Butters Perkins married Emma Adeline Jenkins,[3] about 1868. Emma Adeline, daughter of William Jenkins and Joanne B. Foss, was born on 9 Nov 1847 in Barnstead, Belknap County, New Hampshire. She died on 6 Mar 1906 at the age of 58 in Loudon.[4]

John B. and Emma A. were buried with their daughter Louise in Mount Hope Cemetery, Loudon Village, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.[5]

John and his family were enumerated on the federal decennial census records on 16 June 1870,[6] 3 June 1880,[7] and on 21 June 1900.[8] John was enumerated in the home of his son, Homer L. Perkins on 9 May 1910, in Loudon.[9]

John Butters Perkins and Emma Adeline Jenkins had the following children:

Etta Belle Perkins, born 7 November 1869,[10] Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire; married George Wilmer Rowell, 29 August 1903, Boscawen, Merrimack County, New Hampshire;[11] died 10 Oct 1950 and buried with her husband in Moore Cemetery, in Loudon.[12]

[2] “New Hampshire, Death Records, 1654-1947,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11623-1872-63?cc=1601211 : accessed 11 Apr 2014), 004243185 > image 1913 of 2917; citing Bureau Vital Records and Health Statistics, Concord; Tombstone of John B. Perkins, et al; and Deaths Registered in the Town of Loudon for the Year Ending December 31, 1906, Annual Report of the Town of Loudon, 1919 (Concord, New Hampshire: The Town of Loudon, 1920).

[10] Tombstone of George W. Rowell and Etta B. Perkins, his wife, Moore Cemetery, located in Loudon Village, behind the Congregation Church adjacent to Mount Hope Cemetery, viewed and photographed by the author, 28 September 1991 (hereinafter cited as Tombstone of George and Etta B. Perkins Rowell).

[12] Tombstone of George W. Rowell and Etta B. Perkins, his wife, Moore Cemetery, located in Loudon Village, behind the Congregation Church adjacent to Mount Hope Cemetery, viewed and photographed by the author, 28 September 1991 (hereinafter cited as Tombstone of George and Etta B. Perkins Rowell).

Homer Lathe Perkins was one of nearly thirty thousand men between the ages of thirty-seven to forty-five who answered the call of the Selective Service to register for the draft on the 12th of September 1918.[1] That, in it self, is not surprising. However, her resided in the village of Loudon and I would have expected him to travel into Concord (only 8 miles away from his home) to register. Why did he register in Franklin (some 22 miles away)? That is a puzzle to which I need a solution.

Unfortunately I never met my Grandfather Perkins—he died before I was born. But I do know that he was a wheeler and dealer. I have in my possession a large number of original deeds relating to his buying and selling of land in and about Loudon. His wife, Nana Perkins, once told me that he’d buy a house, she’d work hard to make it a home and as soon as she did, he’d sell the place. I knew she lived in the house I remember in Loudon for several years before his death and when I asked her how she managed to stay there, she said, “When he put out the ‘for sale’ sign, I simply when out in the yard and yanked it up and he got the message.”

In 1930 Homer and Alice purchased a new Chevrolet Sedan from Gossville Garage in Epsom, N.H.

Homer Lathe Perkins, son of John Butter Perkins and Emma Adeline Jenkins, was born in Loudon (Merrimack County), New Hampshire, 16 June 1879.[2] He died 22 August 1939 in Loudon.[3]

Homer L. Perkins and Alice M. Brown were married 8 April 1908 in Chester (Rockingham County), New Hampshire, by Albert Hall, Minister of the Gospel.[4]

i. Helen Elizabeth Perkins, born 7 February 1909 in Loudon;[6] died 14 November 1976 in Keene (Cheshire County), New Hampshire;[7] and was buried in Blossom Hill Cemetery, Concord (Merrimack County), New Hampshire. She and John William Galloway were married, 18 July 1936, in Loudon by William Hastings, Congregational minister.[8] Helen and John had one child.

ii. Josephine Emma Perkins, born 30 December 1917 in Concord, New Hampshire;[9] died in York, Maine;[10] and was buried in Blossom Hill Cemetery, in Concord. She married Oscar H. Woodward, Jr., September 1940 in Chichester, New Hampshire.[11] Josephine and Oscar had four children.

Homer and Alice are buried in Blossom Hill Cemetery, Concord, New Hampshire.

[1] World War I Draft Registration Card of Homer Lathe Perkins, Homer Lathe Perkins, 12 September 1918, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, Selective Service Records, Record Group 163, National Archives at Atlanta, Morrow, Georgia; hereinafter cited as WWI Draft Card of Homer Lathe Perkins.